It has not felt like the Christmas season to me as I’m still wearing sandles and enjoying beautiful summer weather. It is getting hotter though as we enter the dry season. Christmas time to me means sloshing around in winter boots, cutting down your Christmas tree in the snow and then enjoying a nice cup of hot chocolate to thaw out. I just can’t get my mind to register that it’s Christmas when I’m enjoying 80 degree plus weather.
There are signs of Christmas in Uganda though, the stores are all nicely decorated, people are talking about Christmas and the radio stations are all playing Christmas music. I’ve noticed merchants selling small artificial Christmas trees and decorations…and there are banners hanging everywhere announcing “Boxing Day” on December 26. Now, of course, I thought this meant there was going to be a big boxing match the day after Christmas…ha..ha. I have never heard of Boxing day before but apparently this is celebrated in several countries, the UK, Australia, Greece, Canada, and Uganda to name a few. (How did I not know about Boxing day when it’s celebrated in Canada?) This is another day to spend with family and friends opening gifts…I think!
I have spent about 4 weeks out of the last 6 weeks in Kampala but not all in one trip. It was back and forth several times and this isn’t an easy, quick trip. Driving your own vehicle from Gulu to Kampala takes around 5 hours and when taking the bus…well that’s another story. Going from Gulu to Kampala wasn’t bad but coming home required 9 hours on the bus. This bus had “issues” and I wouldn’t want to repeat that ride anytime soon.
I did enjoy Kampala and the trips weren’t without some adventure…. I had my camera confiscated by the police for taking a picture of the Nile river…I forgot you couldn’t do that at this location..but did manage to get it back. We broke down during one trip and was being towed when our tow truck broke down, of course, in the middle of an intersection. I was chased by a camel and I discovered fried grasshoppers (nsenene). They are now my number one snack…I’m not kidding…I really do like them!
Enjoying some nsenene as an appetizer before the meal.
This guy got upset with me when he discovered I had no food in my hand.
Yes, I had a good time in Kampala but was very happy to get back to Gulu and continue my work with the ladies.
My new scooter...it's bigger and heavier than looks.
During one trip I was able to purchase a scooter and a couple of sewing machines. During another trip I got word that my shipment was finally in Kampala so I had to stay and work with the shipping company while my cargo went through Customs and the Uganda Revenue Authority. I was so happy to get these boxes and to see they survived the trip in pretty good condition. Thank you to all who was praying for the delivery of this shipment.
On my first trip to Kampala I brought Evelyn, the chairperson for the Tegot ladies group, with us. This was her first time to Kampala. We also visited Entebbe airport as she wanted to see a plane land and take off for the first time and we went to a wildlife sanctuary. I had the best time watching the chimps as they seemed to entertain us. I know she enjoyed the trip but I’m sure she found Kampala much different from life in her village.
Chimps
George of the jungle!
This lion looks too comfortable
My third trip brought me to Kampala with one of my 
fellow workers. She has been sick with a stubborn infection for several weeks and the doctor in Kampala wanted her to return to his office for further testing. Being weak and tired she didn’t want to travel alone so I went with her. She has since left Uganda to fly home to the U.S. to seek medical help there as she is still not getting any better. I ask if you could please pray that the doctors will quickly discover what is causing this infection and prescribe the correct medicine as she does want to return and complete her one year obligation.
The sewing project with the ladies from Tegot village is doing very well with many of them completing their practice piece.
The first group of ladies to complete the training project.
They have been more than ready to start a “serious” project and we are currently working on a couple of wall hanging size quilts. I am thrilled at how much they are enjoying this quilt making. I look forward to the days I meet with them because we have such a good time working together. I’m sure it would even be better once I learn the language..ugh!
Second group to "graduate"
This week found the women exceptionally happy thinking about celebrating Christmas. I have some great videos of them “singing while we work”. We really had a fun time. As soon as I figure how to get these on my blog I’ll make them available.
I received some packages this month that included a variety of sewing items and I can’t tell you how thrilled I was to get these items. They were all well needed and very much appreciated. THANK YOU!! I think the women especially liked the sewing needles because that meant I could stop being so “stingy” with my supply.
Well, as I write this it is now Christmas day in Uganda! I want to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and hope you get to spend it with family and friends as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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